Icewind Dale II

 PC
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 197 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 158 out of 197
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 197
  3. Negative: 6 out of 197
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  1. TheMitherer
    Oct 23, 2011
    7
    More hardcore than its predecessor this game delights in placing you in very tough situations repeatedly. I got tired of the 'now get out of that' scenario quite quickly and despite my affinity for IE games I only just mustered the motivation to finish the game. The villains I thought were unispiring as were a lot of the locations. I got quite a bit of satisfaction from winning toughMore hardcore than its predecessor this game delights in placing you in very tough situations repeatedly. I got tired of the 'now get out of that' scenario quite quickly and despite my affinity for IE games I only just mustered the motivation to finish the game. The villains I thought were unispiring as were a lot of the locations. I got quite a bit of satisfaction from winning tough battles but sadly that's where the satisfaction started and ended - nothing else about this game seems pleasurable. Worth one playthrough, more if you just like fighting for fighting's sake. Try some summons if you are struggling - they are strangely overpowered for some reason.… Expand
  2. Omegawolf8
    Apr 3, 2011
    10
    This game is probably is one of the BEST RPGs ever. The atmosphere, is exhilarating, the combat is fun, You get to create your own party, this thing is just so good. If you like games, Then BUY this right away.
  3. KaiEkkrin
    Jun 24, 2011
    6
    A second Icewind Dale, set many years after the first game, with a new player-created party following in the characters' footsteps. This game tries to be more than the first: it's scattered with bits of side plot, puzzles, and strange items, and it uses the new (at the time) and better D&D 3E ruleset. Sadly, it just doesn't work as well. The difficulty is pitched all wrong: it's muchA second Icewind Dale, set many years after the first game, with a new player-created party following in the characters' footsteps. This game tries to be more than the first: it's scattered with bits of side plot, puzzles, and strange items, and it uses the new (at the time) and better D&D 3E ruleset. Sadly, it just doesn't work as well. The difficulty is pitched all wrong: it's much too hard in the first and last chapters and too easy for the rest. The awful "resting" mechanic of D&D was retained, which forces stop-offs in bad places during the hard bits, where extra monsters spawn when you rest -- destroying the pace of the game. The puzzles are another pace-breaker, if you don't like that kind of thing: stop progressing and slaying monsters now, and scratch your head at this illogical piece of scenery! Ultimately, the game doesn't flow in the way the first Icewind Dale did. Disappointing.… Expand
  4. EUPOLEMOS
    Sep 16, 2013
    9
    The game is good but not as good as Icewind Dale 1.The sprites are smaller and the music not so hypnotizing as it was on the first game.At the plus side it has more races and classes to choose your characters from and it has a chalenging difficulty.At most battles you must use your mind to win not blund force.The final battle is really fun.
  5. gjmoss1
    Feb 17, 2015
    10
    Well this is a old classic and the depth of this game is incredible, I am waiting for the remastered version of this to be released but I doubt they could improve much on the original game besides enhanced graphics.
  6. JohnR
    Jun 7, 2008
    9
    Can't give this a 10 as perfect scores must be reserved for perfect games, viz. Baldur's Gate I & 2, Torment. But this and the first Icewind Dale are certainly worthy of the next rank. If you love fantasy RPGs every BioWare/Black Isle Infinity Engine game is a must because they're quite simply the best CRPGs ever created, eclipsing Oblivion, The Witcher, NWN et al, both for Can't give this a 10 as perfect scores must be reserved for perfect games, viz. Baldur's Gate I & 2, Torment. But this and the first Icewind Dale are certainly worthy of the next rank. If you love fantasy RPGs every BioWare/Black Isle Infinity Engine game is a must because they're quite simply the best CRPGs ever created, eclipsing Oblivion, The Witcher, NWN et al, both for their storylines (which are better than most novels) and quality of the writing and imagination in general, and also because of the peerless D&D rules-based tactical combat and character development (the only system that really works, RIP Gary Gygax) and the fact that party-based adventuring from a 3rd person perspective will always be better than the much vaunted, overrated but now seemingly mandatory 1st person perspective. It's a mystery to me why BioWare ditched this engine and it's clear that their games have lost some of their magic since they split with Black Isle (creators of the awesome Fallout series). All RPGs since the Infinity Engine games have been markedly inferior : quite how BioWare and Bethesda can believe that the dialogue and general writing quality in the likes of NWN and Oblivion is even remotely comparable to that in classics such as the Icewind Dales is an utter mystery to me - don't hold out too much hope for Fallout 3 because Bethesda have no idea how to inject any personality into NPCs and while they're not too bad at creating atmospheric game worlds they can't hold a candle to Black Isle/BioWare. Buy both Icewind Dales (they're equally good), both Baldur's Gates (again, can't split them) and Planescape : Torment (best RPG story ever) and you will thank the day you made the decision - because these games are genuine classics, are almost infinitely replayable owing to their depth, breadth and complexity, contain more personality than all other games ever created put together and have stood the test of time.… Expand
  7. noisewater
    Oct 16, 2012
    2
    if you played baldurs gate or icewind dale 1 you know what to expect. Same graphics, same game play, art is really cool. This is hack and slash like the others, but i found this game really boring...by chapter 3 i could not wait to get this game over and done with. At least the other games had a story that was interesting to follow... this time it fails. i would encourage people to play itif you played baldurs gate or icewind dale 1 you know what to expect. Same graphics, same game play, art is really cool. This is hack and slash like the others, but i found this game really boring...by chapter 3 i could not wait to get this game over and done with. At least the other games had a story that was interesting to follow... this time it fails. i would encourage people to play it so that they may learn what not to do when you are a dungeon master and thinking of plots and hooks to your dungeons and dragons home campaign. if you do not feel frustrated by the predictable npc's and mish mash of random monsters then i don't know what is wrong with you.… Expand
  8. KaesoBedrai
    Nov 30, 2015
    1
    There is some climate, there are some nice handmade graphics... Well, that's it. The mechanics may be a lot better than in the first game of the franchise, still it doesn't matter if the game itself sucks. It it was just a hack-and-slash game, I'd say there are numerous better games of that genre. It it was a joke, it'd be a sick joke indeed. Maybe if the game were created by fans, thereThere is some climate, there are some nice handmade graphics... Well, that's it. The mechanics may be a lot better than in the first game of the franchise, still it doesn't matter if the game itself sucks. It it was just a hack-and-slash game, I'd say there are numerous better games of that genre. It it was a joke, it'd be a sick joke indeed. Maybe if the game were created by fans, there would be something to be proud of.
    Unfortunately, the game has nothing to offer for most of us, NPCs are sick and the poor story cries to heaven any time someone tries to play that mess :(    … Expand
  9. Kelu
    Mar 28, 2012
    9
    The last game to use the Infinity engine, it represents the technical pinnacle of old-school 2D cRPGs. It was also the first game to use, although not fully implemented due to the engine's limitations, the Dungeons&Dragons 3rd edition ruleset. Although noticeably lacking in plot compared to such giants as Baldur's Gate and Torment, IWD2 caters an enjoyable, action-packed experience, as theThe last game to use the Infinity engine, it represents the technical pinnacle of old-school 2D cRPGs. It was also the first game to use, although not fully implemented due to the engine's limitations, the Dungeons&Dragons 3rd edition ruleset. Although noticeably lacking in plot compared to such giants as Baldur's Gate and Torment, IWD2 caters an enjoyable, action-packed experience, as the journey you embark on with a party of custom charaters will throughoutly test you tactical expertise. The locations are varied and interesting, and so are the foes you will face. All and all, this is a hacky-slashy gem from the time many percieve as the golden era of cRPG genre.… Expand
  10. RonC.
    Oct 29, 2002
    10
    Not the breadth of story Baldur's Gate II was, but the tweaks to the interface have finally evolved. The graphics are on par with Throne of Bhaal and the AD&D Third Edition rules add an inventive touch to character development that will resuscitate the genre for jaded RPG fans. I didn't play the first one, but you start fresh in this one anyway - no character porting from the Not the breadth of story Baldur's Gate II was, but the tweaks to the interface have finally evolved. The graphics are on par with Throne of Bhaal and the AD&D Third Edition rules add an inventive touch to character development that will resuscitate the genre for jaded RPG fans. I didn't play the first one, but you start fresh in this one anyway - no character porting from the first allowed! Since Neverwinter Nights sucks so much, maybe they should seriously revamp this engine into 3D and call it Neverwinter Nights II?… Expand
  11. DragonBoy
    Jun 25, 2003
    10
    Nothing more satisfying than letting a river run red with orc blood.... and that's just the second level :)
  12. KyleA.
    May 7, 2006
    10
    This game is the love of my life in a way me and my dad beat this game countless times over LAN Black Isle - I appreciate your work.
  13. EliasO.
    Jan 1, 2008
    10
    Yet another brilliant RPG!
  14. DanielM.
    Jan 11, 2003
    10
    Well, this game was the CRPG of the year for me. I enjoyed Morrowind, but it was a little baren for my tastes. I expected so much more from NWN. Nope, IWD 2 didn't make huge promises, but it came through with huge results.
  15. hwanin
    Sep 18, 2021
    8
    I honestly don't remember its story anymore. After buying the first game's Enhanced Edition, I was waiting for the developers to enhance the 2nd one as well. Well... they never did... so far.

    I don't remember this title so much, but I can't really recall gamebreaking bugs or bugs that would scare me away. This is a solid game, with a long story and gameplay. If you are new to the    I honestly don't remember its story anymore. After buying the first game's Enhanced Edition, I was waiting for the developers to enhance the 2nd one as well. Well... they never did... so far.

    I don't remember this title so much, but I can't really recall gamebreaking bugs or bugs that would scare me away. This is a solid game, with a long story and gameplay.
    If you are new to the Icewind Dale distribution, I strongly recommend you to buy the first game's Enhanced Edition, then give a try to the 2nd one. Hopefully until that point the 2nd gets enhanced as well.

    I know it was a shallow review, but it's the best I could provide years after my game experience.
    8/10 because I can only remember the good aspects and I'm 100 percent sure there were some bugs in the game.
    I would recommend it to any adult or even high-school kid (who has strong English skills).    … Expand
  16. iddqd4
    Jan 27, 2018
    8
    このテキストは私のプロフィールにスコアが表示されるようにここにあります。
  17. Kai82
    Nov 22, 2020
    10
    A real good D&D game. It is set in Faerun in the Forgotten Realms in a region called Icewind Dale. It is a harsh icy land full of dangers that does not easily forgive mistakes or weakness that became famous from the novels from R. A. Salvatore about Drizzt Do’Urden. It uses the third edition rule set of D&D with some adaptations and is set approx 30 years after the events of the prequel.A real good D&D game. It is set in Faerun in the Forgotten Realms in a region called Icewind Dale. It is a harsh icy land full of dangers that does not easily forgive mistakes or weakness that became famous from the novels from R. A. Salvatore about Drizzt Do’Urden. It uses the third edition rule set of D&D with some adaptations and is set approx 30 years after the events of the prequel. Don't worry you do not need to know the first game to appreciate the story (There are some references and developments from back then but that is not important here). You play a party of up to 6 adventurers on the way to the town of Targos to defend it against a siege of constant attacks by a goblin army. This however is just the beginning of the story as there is far more to this menace as you can see on first glance. I like the story and twists. I becomes better and better as you uncover more of the plot and backstory. The villains are also well done and I understand their motivations and actions. Gameplay: You can create your own party or use a premade one. Instead of tossing the dice for character stats you have a pool of ability points to spend (min/maxing works well). This game gives you more options than ever for races. You can use Drow, Asimar and Tieflings as well as sub races. Each race has their benefits and drawbacks. Along with all classes there are a lot of options including multi-classes (Beware of alignment restriction, stats and experience penalties). Alone the thinking and testing of builds made a lot of fun. There is also the Heart of Fury (HoF) mode which is a challenging difficulty and will give you troubles (Beat the normal game first and then try it). I think I give some tips: Summoning creatures or undead is really useful. These get stronger as you level up and in HoF they get also an upgrade. While fighters work well I would multi-class them into spellcaster classes as the benefits are superior (Maybe not Berserker but even there a few levels for weapon mastery help and not for Monks while I heard good arguments about Clerics with some Monk levels). Some races like Drow gain experience slower because they are more powerful at the beginning but because of min/maxing this means not that they are always better (Use races that get stats bonuses in classes that benefit from them). There is not much need for a pure thief character. Have a cleric or two in your party (Should be a no brainer). There is some variety here at different deities. Carefully plan ahead when you want to play in HoF. There are some good guides on GameFAQs. Back to the game. It focused more on exploration and challenging battles. I like it a lot as I had to figure out how to overcome the challenges. There were some memorable battles that I praise. I must clarify that focus on battle is not equal to poor story. Like I said before the story is engaging and I fully understand the antagonists motivation to a point were I can see myself dragged down their ways if I were in their situation. They are like Thanos in the Avengers. While you disagree with the methods, you see the validity of the problem and understand were they came from. The technical presentation is excellent. The graphics improved a lot since the prequel. The soundtrack is atmospheric and helps to create the immersion. Overall this is an excellent D&D game that won me over. I did not even like the Icewind Dale setting or region (outside the books). However the good story, villains and battle system made a remarkable experience. Special warning: I want to play the prequel after this game and it was the wrong decision. D&D games improved a lot including this and made Icewind Dale 1 look inferior.… Expand
  18. Arroyo_man
    Jul 6, 2017
    10
    Truly immortal game.. .
  19. Joewashere
    Aug 28, 2019
    8
    The Infinity Engine produced five games; Icewind Dale II was the swan song to this extraordinary period in RPG history, and perhaps the most controversial title. Greenlit to relieve Interplay's sagging accounts, the game famously had its outline written by Josh Sawyer in 24 hours and less than a year of full development. Critics lamented the lack of cohesion in level design and atmosphereThe Infinity Engine produced five games; Icewind Dale II was the swan song to this extraordinary period in RPG history, and perhaps the most controversial title. Greenlit to relieve Interplay's sagging accounts, the game famously had its outline written by Josh Sawyer in 24 hours and less than a year of full development. Critics lamented the lack of cohesion in level design and atmosphere compared to the high standards set by its predecessor, while the plot is not much more than background for combat.

    But IWD II remains an incredibly fun game. Its adaptation of 3rd edition D&D rules is well done, and the now mature Infinity Engine is pushed to its limit to create its own distinctive challenges. Goblins beat on war drums to call their comrades, who arrive on wargs and continue to fight on foot when their mounts are shot down; orcs can be shot ablaze through flaming barrels, while giants lob rocks the size of ten men at your party. Large dungeons like Dragon's Eye and the Severed Hand are full of little quests, distinctive boss encounters, set pieces and backstory that fully satisfy that good old dungeon crawling itch.

    IWD II is a solid dose of killing, looting and pillaging that fully deserves a try.    … Expand
  20. Danil_Shtangeev
    Dec 9, 2018
    10
    I've played this game many years ago. One of the best games of my childhood
  21. Amorph0us
    Jan 6, 2022
    9
    One more great game from the golden era of RPGs based on D&D. The setting is Forgotten Realms which is great. The locations where the action unfolds is also great. I liked it more than the 1st game because of the improvements in the mechanics.
  22. Genek13
    Nov 20, 2019
    7
    Game is very similar to Baldur's Gate games.
    Differences are in setting and few mechanics.
    Back then was a very decent RPG game.
  23. Keron_Heruman
    Aug 23, 2023
    7
    The perfect choice for RPG gamers that want a complete custom party. Less solid than other isometric RPG games, with a shallower history and no new innovates, tends to be repetitive.

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best PC Game of 2002
29
#29 Most Discussed PC Game of 2002
69
#69 Most Shared PC Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Gamers' Temple
    86
    Designed for RPG veterans and particularly those familiar with Dungeons & Dragons. The game comes with an excellent and thorough manual, but at well over 100 pages it might be overwhelming to a newbie.
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  2. PC Gamer
    87
    With some nifty tweaks to the engine, A-class writing, and a dazzling implementation of the D&D 3rd Edition rules, ID II is like hauling out yesterday's burrito casserole and realizing that it tastes even better reheated. [Oct 2002, p.87]
  3. Yahoo!
    90
    Every bit as good as you’d hope... If any criticism can be found with Icewind Dale II, it's that it may be more than a little inaccessible to the non-"hardcore" role-player.
    Read full review
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